LTC 2026 group picture.

Laughter, worship, conversation, and new friendships filled the Lake Poinsett UMC Camp as high school youth from across the Dakotas Conference gathered for Living Transformed for Christ (LTC) 2026.

Throughout the week, campers explored what it means to live fully alive in Christ while also creating a community where they could be themselves, ask questions about faith, and build relationships with others.

“LTC is one of the most real communities… from having fun, to doing worship services, and the friends that you make are real!” said Tabitha Rose of Huron Riverview UMC.

Each day began with worship in the chapel. On two days, the LTC campers were also joined by the younger Teddy Bear Camp campers for a time of singing, Scripture, and prayer.

Mark Oestreicher "Marko", veteran youth worker, led the daily large-group lessons, taking campers through four themes: Coming Alive in Christ, New, Consistency, and Baby Eagles/Thrive.

After each large-group session, campers went back to their cabin groups to dive deeper into the day's lesson through Bible study. Rev. Melissa Gall led the Bible study discussions, creating space for youth to talk, ask questions, and connect the lessons to their own lives.

For campers, that opportunity to connect with others was one of the most meaningful parts of the week.

“This type of community and connection you will never find anywhere else,” said Hailey Bosch of Linton UMC. “This is an experience some people may never get, and it’s a blessing to be a part of it at LTC.”

Cabin groups also spent time creating crafts, hanging out, and preparing for worship later in the week or the Wacky Olympics. Erin Murphy, from Watertown First UMC and an adult leader for the Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM), led campers through several craft projects, including camper clips made from clothespins, beaded Scripture bracelets, decorated trucker hats, and tie-dyed Lake Poinsett Camp 80th anniversary T-shirts.

Afternoons gave campers opportunities to choose classes that helped them grow in their faith and relationships. Marko led a class on how to pray, while Rev. Seth LaBounty of Vermillion UMC and CCYM taught campers how to read the Bible. Steve Hilton of Piedmont Grace UMC and CCYM led a class on communicating better.

LTC and Teddy Bear campers taking a silly group photo.

Hilton’s class challenged campers to think about how they approach conversations with others. One exercise focused on removing “I” and “me” from conversation and instead putting the focus on the person they were talking with.

Outside of classes, campers had plenty of opportunities to simply enjoy being together. Spending time in the game room, playing outdoor games, cabin hangout time, crafts, and a slip-n-slide on Chapel Hill gave campers a chance to relax, laugh, and enjoy summer camp.

For some campers, those simple moments became some of their favorite memories.

“My favorite memory was making so many new friends together,” said Brynn Lueking of Sioux Falls.

For Adam Bergman of Bismarck McCabe UMC and a member of CCYM, being at camp without the usual distractions helped create space for those friendships to grow.

“LTC is the greatest experience I have had,” Bergman said. “It is crazy how people connect when you don't have a phone. I know I have made lifelong friends.”

Each evening brought something different. CCYM youth led the opening worship service on Sunday, followed by an adult counselor-led worship service Monday night. Tuesday brought the Wacky Olympics, and Wednesday evening included worship led by Grinager Cabin followed by Silent Night. Thursday ended with a patio party, and Hubbard Cabin planned and led Friday’s closing worship.

For Eleanor Carlson of Washburn UMC and CCYM, the sense of support found at LTC is what makes the week so special.

“Wherever you are in your faith journey or story, you will find people who will best support you at LTC,” Carlson said.

That welcoming environment can be especially meaningful for youth who are attending camp for the first time. Landon Eichele of Bismarck McCabe UMC experienced LTC for the first time this year.

“It was my first time at any camp, and it was so much fun making new friends and connecting with God,” Eichele said.

Adults serving at LTC also witnessed the ways that community developed throughout the week.

Rev. Jordan Loucks of Fargo Faith UMC said he volunteers at LTC because he remembers how important it was to have adults present during his own teenage years.

“I love being able to show up and support teenagers who are wrestling with their faith and discovering who they are as people,” Loucks said.

Hilton also saw that community taking shape throughout the week. As a returning adult volunteer, he enjoyed reconnecting with youth who had attended LTC in previous years while also watching new relationships form.

Campers hanging out around the fire pit.

“It is awesome to see how youth will take down barriers, and how many were very supportive and caring towards some who are not always included in activities away from camp,” Hilton said. “To see that inclusion carried out with absolute sincerity is what we need more of in our crazy world.”

For Hilton, those moments were evidence of God’s presence throughout the week.

“Jesus was at work in our campers in how they carried themselves and treated others,” he said.

The week closed with a powerful prayer circle, giving campers and adults one final opportunity to gather together before heading home.

LTC was a week of learning and laughter, worship and play, but most importantly, it was a week of connection. Youth were reminded that they are not alone in their faith journeys and that there is a community ready to walk alongside them.

“We have seen the hands of God at work in some incredible ways!” Hilton said.

Through LTC, campers were invited to live transformed for Christ—not just for one week at camp, but wherever their faith journey takes them next.